Mum slams DPD after 'porch pirate' swipes £200 parcel

[TrueBlueTerrier]

https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/st ... h-10344945

This is the moment a 'porch pirate' struck in broad daylight - leaving a homeowner shocked and feeling vulnerable. Shocking Ring doorbell footage shows a hooded man grabbing two large parcels from outside a property.

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Lisa Parker, 57, had gone out with husband Gary for a meal on Saturday (July 5) when she got a notification that her package was being delivered that day. Though the resident was worried about not being home to take the parcel in, it was too late to change her plans, and she had hoped the delivery driver would leave it in her safe space.


But, after the package was left on their doorstep by DPD - along with an Amazon parcel - the pair received a doorbell notification that someone was on their driveway. The couple then proceeded to watch in horror as the hooded man made off with their belongings.


Lisa said: “This guy came out of nowhere. We were literally watching him creep on the drive, pick it all up and walk off with it in broad daylight on a busy street. It was awful. Our road is a very busy through road so I am very surprised he had the gall.

“We already had a car still on the drive, so we could have literally been sitting by the window and seen him coming. He didn’t care. He crept down then walked out casually as if he was living there.”

Lisa is the owner of a clothing company called Chakahindi, which uses suppliers in India, so she has packages shipped over on a regular basis. The stolen parcel, valued at around £200, contained a selection of tote bags and kimonos for her brand, she says.

The pair have called in police. Lisa has also complained to DPD demanding a full refund, claiming that they should have left her package through her garden gate or in a delivery box on her porch as she had requested.

The resident says she is still battling to try to get her money back, but that hopefully it should be coming in soon. However, the couple say they are now living in fear of the thief striking again.

Lisa added: “Stealing packages is like a new career now. It is horrible Luckily the package he took is the lowest value of anything I had ordered, but I have so many coming in the next few weeks, so I am sweating.

“I am going to be fretting now and watching out of the window. You don’t know if the driver is in cahoots with these people either. We are very worried it could happen again. It’s not just me impacted, these shops are buying my stuff, and I have a responsibility to provide it. These designs take time.

“I am going to be on that doorstep when I know they are coming, you don’t know if they are following the drivers.”

The homeowners have lived in their property for more than six years, and say they have never had any issues before. But, after this frightening incident, Lisa says they feel more vulnerable.


She added: “I wouldn’t say I have ever felt unsafe, but it is a huge student community. We have never really had any problems like this at all. My husband thinks the thief is local. Now we are double checking all our windows are locked even if we pop down the road in case he is watching. He might get even more cocky and try to come in. I definitely feel more vulnerable now. I am constantly looking around the corner.”

Police are not investigating further after 'exhausting all lines of inquiry'.

An Amazon spokesperson said: "We’re aware of this matter and we’re looking into it."


DPD has been contacted for comment.